If you're like me, you miss snow living through rainy Portland winters. With rare exception - and oh, what fun we had on the one night we had enough snow to make a snowman - our kids only experience snow play when we travel to Mt. Hood or make a long weekend out of a trip to Central Oregon.
Even though it's a drive and sometimes there can be traffic, a trip to Mt. Hood is well worth the hassle. If your kids are smaller, sledding or tubing is the perfect introduction. NW Kids Magazine put together a great list of sledding & tubing spots (one's on the WA side of the Columbia). The tubing locations involve paying to use an official tubing run at a ski area whereas sledding only involves bringing your own sled and hiking up a hill!
Skiing can be another fun kid activity. We recently took our preschooler out for his first cross country skiing adventure and he loved it. There are several groomed trails on Mt. Hood including Teacup Lake and the nordic center at Mt. Hood Meadows. But most of the Sno*Parks on Mt. Hood, Mt. Adams and Mt. St. Helens offer cross-country skiing and snowshoeing at no cost (well, you need a parking permit - see below). Just please, don't walk with your snowshoes on the ski trail! Kid sized snowshoes and skis are available (even for preschool aged kids) at REI, Next Adventure and other local ski shops.
Downhill skiing, though more of a financial commitment can be a great family activity. All of the ski areas offer rentals, lessons and kid-friendly skiing options.
In order to park at a Sno*Park -- including at a ski area -- you must have a valid daily or yearly Sno*Park permit. Oregon permits are honored in Washington and vice-versa. Stop on your way up to the mountain as you generally can't buy them in the parking area.
***Always check the weather conditions before you go. Be prepared for winter driving and stock your car accordingly!
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